Today, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held an online joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council with the participation of the khyakims of the velayats and Ashgabat city to consider the preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan and a number of other issues.

Turning to the agenda, the leader of the nation gave the floor to the Chairman of the Mejlis of Milli Gengesh G.Mammedova, who informed about legislative activities, as well as about the ongoing preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan, their holding on the principles of transparency, openness and free expression of the will of citizens.

Preparatory work was carried out jointly with relevant organizations in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan. Representatives of political parties and public associations explain the provisions of the electoral legislation and its political significance at the local level.

Deputy Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh K.Babaev reported on the comprehensive work to improve the legal framework of the country in accordance with the tasks outlined at the historic meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh and at a meeting with members of the Milli Gengesh.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported on the ongoing preparations by the institutions of the financial and economic complex for the organized holding of the presidential elections of Turkmenistan scheduled for March 12, this year.

Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh.Abdrakhmanov reported on the preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan.

In his turn, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E.Orazgeldiev reported on the preparations in the supervised industries for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan, as well as on the progress of work for the upcoming cotton sowing in the country’s velayats.

The Deputy Prime Minister appealed to the head of state with a request to set a date and bless the beginning of cotton sowing, in connection with which practical seminars will be held with the participation of daikhan masters, experienced specialists, scientists and machine operators.

Having given his blessing to start cotton sowing in the Akhal, Balkan, Lebap and Mary velayats on March 23, and in the Dashoguz velayat on March 30, the President of Turkmenistan asked the honorary elders, according to the established good tradition, to start sowing with the words “Bismillah!”. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch.Purchekov reported on the work of ministries and branch departments of the construction and industrial complex, as well as the khyakimliks of Ashgabat city in preparation for the upcoming Presidential elections on March 12.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch.Gylyjov reported on the preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan.

Cabinet Deputy Chairwoman M.Mammedova reported on the work carried out by cultural and media institutions to prepare the presidential elections of Turkmenistan at a high level.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers S.Toilyev reported on the work carried out in the field of education, science, health and sports, as well as by public organizations to prepare for the upcoming presidential elections of Turkmenistan, which will become a historically significant political and social event in 2022, held under the motto “The Era of the People with Arkadag”.

1,826 polling stations were formed in educational institutions, 65 – in sports schools and 3 – in medical institutions.

2,620 representatives from political parties and public associations are registered as national observers.

Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov reported on the preparation for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan. Relevant work is being carried out in this direction on the basis of the current national legislation.

At the invitation of the Turkmen side, an Observer Mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States arrived in our country. In addition, observers from the Organization of Turkic States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as from a number of neighboring countries are expected to participate in the upcoming important socio-political campaign.

All conditions have been created for international observers to monitor the election campaign and directly the voting process on election day within their powers defined by the relevant legal norms.

Foreign mass media also express interest in covering the presidential elections of Turkmenistan scheduled for March 12.

Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers M.Chakyev reported on the comprehensive work carried out by subordinate structures in preparation for the upcoming presidential elections of Turkmenistan.

It was reported that the Türkmenhowaýollary and Türkmenawtoulaglary agencies provided conditions for the provision of transport services for the CIS Observer Mission and foreign guests who arrived in the capital at the invitation of the Turkmen side in connection with the upcoming presidential elections.

Voting at polling stations will be held in digital format and online broadcast on the saylav.gov.tm website of the Central Election Commission. In order to ensure the availability of a live broadcast by the Turkmenaragatnaşyk agency, an optical cable was stretched to the polling stations and webcams were installed. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council Ch.Amanov reported on the preparations being carried out by accountable structures for the upcoming important political event, practical steps being taken to hold elections in an atmosphere of openness, transparency and equality. Within close coordination of the activities of the military and law enforcement agencies, concrete measures are being implemented aimed at maintaining calm and stability in the country, ensuring law and order in all regions and in the capital, compliance with fire safety rules at all polling stations.

Then the reports of the heads of the regions and the capital were heard.

The first to report on the preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan was the mayor of Ashgabat, R. Gandymov.

In order to organize this important socio-political campaign on the basis of democratic principles, in accordance with the Constitution of the country and the current national legislation, relevant work was launched in the capital. 310 polling stations have been established in Ashgabat, which are equipped with the necessary equipment, funds and benefits.

Then the khyakim of the Akhal velayat Ya.Gurbanov reported on the preparations for the upcoming most important socio-political event – the election of the President of Turkmenistan.

There was information about the development of a plan of measures for this campaign. 364 polling stations have been created in the etraps of the velayat and on the territory of Tejen city, 30 of which will work online.

The khyakim of the Balkan velayat, T.Atakhallyev, reported upon the work on organizing elections in the region in accordance with the scheduled plan and on the basis of national democratic principles, as well as on the steps taken to ensure the active participation of voters.

272 polling stations have been set up in the velayat, equipped with all the necessary means and fully ready to conduct this socio-political action. It will be possible to observe the course of the elections on thirty of them online.

Then the khyakim of Dashoguz velayat N.Nazarmyradov reported on the carried out work in the northern region aimed at organizing the elections of the President of Turkmenistan based on national democratic principles. At the same time, activities are being carried out to ensure the active participation of voters in this most important socio-political event.

It was reported that 523 polling stations have been formed on the territory of the velayat, which are fully equipped and meet the requirements. In 30 of them, there have been created conditions for online monitoring the election process. Pre-election events in the velayat were held in an organized manner, on the basis of openness and publicity.

The khyakim of the Lebap velayat Sh.Amangeldyev reported on the preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan in accordance with the developed plan in order to ensure their high-level organization and active participation of voters.

559 polling stations have been established in the eastern region, equipped with all necessary equipment, and conditions have been created for monitoring the election process using a digital system.

Then the khyakim of Mary velayat D.Annaberdyev reported that preparations for the presidential elections of Turkmenistan are being carried out in accordance with the scheduled plan and modern requirements.

The head of the regional administration informed that 549 polling stations have been created in the velayat, which are equipped with all necessary equipment in accordance with the procedure for organizing Presidential Elections.

Further, the head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, addressing the meeting participants, underlined that today independent neutral Turkmenistan is confidently moving forward, along the path of development of the democracy principles.

Addressing Deputy Prime Minister R. Meredov, the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed to ensure the proper operation of polling stations established at the Embassies of Turkmenistan in foreign countries, as well as to ensure timely processing of ballots and information transfer to the Central Election Commission.

The head of state gave the relevant instructions to Deputy Prime Minister S.Toilyev: to control the rapid tests for COVID-19 of international observers who arrived in our country, members of precinct election commissions, as well as other persons participating in this campaign.

Before the start of the elections, disinfection should be carried out at polling stations, strict observance of all precautionary measures should be monitored, as well as the work of medical stations should be ensured, the nation’s leader noted.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council Ch.Amanov was instructed, together with the heads of supervised ministries and departments, to ensure strict compliance with the rules of public order and fire safety at polling stations.

At the same time, it was noted that military personnel and law enforcement officers should also take an active part in the presidential elections of Turkmenistan.

Addressing Deputy Prime Minister M.Mammedova, the head of state assigned to achieve wide coverage of the election day on TV and radio channels and in other mass media.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch.Purchekov was instructed to carry out organizational and technical measures for the safe operation of electrical appliances and equipment at polling stations.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, addressing Deputy Prime Ministers E.Orazgeldiyev and Ch.Gylyjov highlighted that the gifts of the Turkmen land are famous for their taste and nutritional properties. Therefore, on election day, mobile points should be organized near polling stations, where international observers and voters should be offered various dishes, sweet fruits, drinks and other products.

The Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers M.Chakyev was given the task to provide international observers with vehicles, as well as to assist the Central Election Commission and polling stations in establishing an online digital communication system on the website of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan.

Addressing the khyakims of the velayats and Ashgabat city, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the main burden and responsibility for the proper conduct of the elections fall on their shoulders, pointing out that the election day of the President of Turkmenistan should become a grandiose holiday, a national celebration.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that it is necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, public order, compliance with fire protection measures, sanitary standards and, of course, free expression of will in all aspects, demanding that the participants of the meeting approach the upcoming elections with full readiness and responsibly.

Having informed that on March 19 of the current year, the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of the country will take place in the Oguzkhan Palace Complex, after which the solemn events will be continued in the Reception Center, the leader of the nation wished everyone success in fulfilling their tasks.

Summing up the results of the joint online meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the participants good health, family well-being and great success in their work for the sake of further prosperity of the sovereign Motherland.